Climate change expert backs school protests

More than 30 rallies have been organised from Bay of Islands to Invercargill, as part of an international movement.

An expert on climate change is supporting climate change protests by school children across the country.

More than 30 rallies have been organised from Bay of Islands to Invercargill, as part of an international movement.

Waikato University environment lecturer Chris Eames told Tim Dower the protests are a good thing if kids are properly informed.

"I would strongly encourage schools and teachers and parents to actually enrage in conversations around climate change with their children so they can actually make an informed decision about attending today."

Eames doesn't work with kids under 10 years of age because the environmental issues are too complex for them to understand.

He said preschool kids shouldn't be involved in climate protests.

"Kindergarten aged children cannot make an informed choice about being there."